Chapter 453: Five Golden Talents!
[Calculating experiences for 'Evil-Banishing True Person'.]
[You were a prodigy of Sword Pavilion, yet overshadowed by others, forced to lurk in darkness, unknown to all. Your heart brimmed with envy.]
Words surfaced on the interface of the [Book of a Hundred Lifetimes].
The first was Evil-Banishing True Person. Speaking of this Foundation Establishment Perfection Grand True Person from Sword Pavilion, his life could only be described as tragic.
'Evil-Banishing True Person and True Person Dangmo were peers. Naturally, he was overshadowed from childhood until True Person Dangmo switched to cultivating the Sword Dao, which somewhat balanced his psyche—since it meant True Person Dangmo's path was severed. But once [Ang Xiao] appeared, he became the clown.'
Because he cultivated [White Wax Gold]!
At that time, Evil-Banishing True Person was utterly distraught: "Here I was smugly mocking True Person Dangmo for having his path severed, only to realize I don't have one either!"
Who could endure this?
[You have obtained the golden talent: Petty Person!]
[Petty Person: You can actively reduce your presence. The more people around you, the harder it is for anyone to notice your existence.]
'Somewhat similar to [Knowledge-Perception Obstruction].'
Though not as versatile as the original [Knowledge-Perception Obstruction] and with significant limitations, it remains a powerful tool. Used well, it could yield miraculous effects.
[Calculating experiences for 'Wu Tai'an'.]
[You are the King of the South Suppression from the Dao Court, a collateral descendant of the Tian Wu imperial family. As the Dao Court Emperor's younger brother, you secretly harbor ambitions to become emperor yourself.]
The second golden essence calculation completed.
As Lü Yang gazed at the densely packed records of Wu Tai'an's life trajectory on the panel, his eyes sparkled with keen interest.
'The Dao Court... always so mysterious!'
Even during the recent upheaval, the Dao Court never intervened. The entire Jiangdong region closed its borders, making its internal structure nearly impossible to discern from outside.
Now, Wu Tai'an's settlement perfectly filled this gap in Lü Yang's knowledge. He had never underestimated the Dao Court—a simple example proved it: after the chaos, surveying the world, the Dao Court likely emerged as the strongest faction remaining!
Bear in mind, the True Lords hadn't even appeared yet!
Yet apart from the Dao Court, the other three factions capable of seeking golden essence were gone. Jun Tong and True Person Fuyao had just reached Foundation Establishment Perfection—still far from qualifying to seek golden essence.
Only the Dao Court remained largely unscathed.
'If nothing else, at least the Dao Court's highest-ranking Crown Prince must have hope of seeking golden essence! It's just unclear why he hasn't attempted it yet...'
Just then, words abruptly surfaced on the [Book of a Hundred Lifetimes] panel:
[You have obtained the golden talent: Not Under Others!]
[Not Under Others: The more outstanding you appear in your superior's eyes, the more they value you, the greater the bonus you receive when betraying them.]
"This..."
Lü Yang's expression turned peculiar. This golden talent's 'betrayal bonus' was a comprehensive enhancement—spanning divine abilities, magic power, and even fortune.
Up to double the original!
In other words, if he could maximize this bonus during betrayal, his strength could instantly surge to twice its original level!
Don't underestimate just doubling.
Considering the suddenness of betrayal, this doubled enhancement might even allow him to kill in one strike—leaving no chance for retaliation!
'What a rebellious talent...'
Lü Yang rubbed his chin and continued observing the [Book of a Hundred Lifetimes].
Next came the golden essence of the Buddhist disciple's dharma form. Unlike the previous two, the dharma form's experiences were brief—just a few lines.
[You have obtained the golden talent: Reincarnated Spirit Child!]
[Reincarnated Spirit Child: You can transform yourself into a 'Primordial Spirit,' parasitizing others undetected, using their bodies to conceal yourself.]
'A lite version of [Puppet on Strings]?'
Lü Yang frowned momentarily but quickly realized: 'No, just different directions. [Puppet on Strings] excels in quantity and scope.'
'In contrast, [Reincarnated Spirit Child] can only possess one person but hides the original body perfectly—undetectable. Combined with [Puppet on Strings], as a mastermind, you'd be utterly untraceable...'
The more Lü Yang pondered, the stranger it felt.
Why did these talents make him seem more and more like a stereotypical villain? He'd always aspired to be a good person.
Soon, the [Book of a Hundred Lifetimes] trembled again.
This time, it settled the golden essence of Xiang Ye and Immortal Spirit Shang Zhang.
[You have obtained the golden talent: I Am the Vanguard!]
[I Am the Vanguard: When you undertake actions no one else dares attempt, you gain fortune blessings. The harder the task, the greater the fortune.]
[You have obtained the golden talent: Fortune Not Filling the Eyes!]
[Fortune Not Filling the Eyes!: You can accumulate your own fortune, converting it into 'misfortune' and 'good fortune,' then distribute it to yourself and others.]
'So many... too many...'
Lü Yang's nose twitched as he let out a satisfied hum, feeling his mind saturated by the talents settled by the [Book of a Hundred Lifetimes].
After all, his current panel was terrifyingly magnificent.
[Name: Lü Yang]
[Cultivation: Foundation Establishment Perfection]
[Talents: Dual Cultivation Prodigy (White), Some Skill (Purple), Innate Celestial Spirit (Golden), Puppet on Strings (Golden), Sign of Fortune Drawing (Golden), True Dragon Bloodline (Golden), Dragon-Flaying Platform (Golden), Nest Usurped by the Cuckoo (Golden), Petty Person (Golden), Not Under Others (Golden), Reincarnated Spirit Child (Golden), I Am the Vanguard (Golden), Fortune Not Filling the Eyes (Golden)]
[Blessed Lands: Heaven's Grace Earth's Favor Geng Metal Blessed Land, Xuan Capital Blessed Land]
[Divine Abilities: Exquisite Heart, True Qi Containment, Harmonizing Origin Art, Inheriting Heaven's Principles, With the World, Lord of War, Stubborn Gold Duke, Solemn Profound Frost, Resounding Heaven Bell, Authority of Heaven-Earth's Solemn Execution.]
[Treasures: Qian Heaven Myriad Forms General Command (Grade Two)]
[Book of a Hundred Lifetimes Pages: 91]
Look! Look at the harvest of this lifetime!
'The talents alone speak for themselves—practically doubled.'
'As for divine abilities, apart from those gained from [Seven Luminaries Heaven], the rest were reclaimed from Immortal Spirit Shang Zhang using [Nest Usurped by the Cuckoo].'
At this thought, Lü Yang felt a surge of excitement.
'At this stage, there's nothing left to linger for in this lifetime.'
Lü Yang examined his body. Tian Gong had nurtured Immortal Spirit Shang Zhang exceptionally well—complete divine abilities, golden essence fully prepared, almost ready to attempt seeking golden essence immediately.
'Should I... give it a try?'
Since a restart was inevitable anyway, why not attempt the golden seat before resetting?
'So far, I've only observed others seeking golden essence without truly experiencing it myself. What difficulties, what dangers—I remain entirely ignorant...'
Lü Yang never fought unprepared battles.
According to his plan, the next lifetime would surely pursue True Lordhood. Since this lifetime neared its end, why not repurpose it as fuel for the next?
'If successful, perfect—directly carry the Dongtian into the next life, starting as a True Lord.'
'Even if unsuccessful, it's trial and error. If seeking golden essence has pitfalls, discovering them now means preparing countermeasures next time.'
With this resolve, Lü Yang hesitated no longer.
Seek golden essence!
Achieve [Pomegranate Wood]!